Convert Video to MP3 Using RealPlayer

While there are tons of videos available these days many people don’t always have the time to watch them all. That’s no reason to miss out on all that great content. After all, not all videos need to be watched when you can easily convert video into MP3 files. For example, maybe you’re interested in educational videos that teach about a particular topic, but don’t really offer a demonstration in the actual video. What about all those videos that are filled with great self-help tips and inspirational speeches? YouTube has many types of these videos that are loaded with useful information that are just as effective when heard. Did you know that you can easily convert YouTube videos to MP3 so that you can take them with you to listen to when you’re going for a jog or to listen to during long car rides?

With RealPlayer video converter, you can convert many different types of video files into the format you need for your computer or mobile device (cell phone, iPod, MP3 players). Once you convert video to MP3 you can take the files with you and listen to them on-the-go. RealPlayer works with a variety of video formats and you can use the app to convert video into MP3.

Save Your Videos To The Cloud

Download RealPlayer Cloud and any video you upload to your account you will be able to watch on a phone, tablet, computer, and even TV. No conversions required, they will just play.

HOW TO USE REALPLAYER AS A VIDEO TO MP3 CONVERTER

1. Download RealPlayer by pressing the orange button in the top right hand corner of this page.

2. Once the application is downloaded follow the prompts to install it.

3. Now that RealPlayer is installed you can add videos already on your computer to the RealPlayer library. Open the RealPlayer app and go to the RealPlayer logo. There will be an arrow next to it, click that and there will be a drop down menu. Choose “File” and then select “Scan Disk for Media.” When the scanning is complete, select the videos on your computer that you want to add to the Library by checking the box next to the file name.

4. When the process is complete there will be a box that says Step 4 that explains the results of the scan. Check the box next to “Go to the Library after closing Scan Disk wizard” and press Finish. This will open the RealPlayer Library.

5. The Library should now be open and you’re ready to use the built-in video to MP3 converter. In the left panel of the screen, click “Convert To.” This opens the RealPlayer Converter. You can then drag the video from the library that you want to convert into MP3 into the box and it will add it to the list of videos to be converted.

CONVERT VIDEO TO MP3 AND SEND THE NEW FILES DIRECTLY TO YOUR CELL PHONE OR MP3 PLAYER

The video to MP3 converter that’s included in the free RealPlayer video player can also convert video to MP3 audio files that can then be transferred directly to a mobile device so you can listen to it during car rides or jogs in the park. It’s simple to do. All you need to do is open the video stored on your computer, connect your phone to your computer via a USB synching cable (these cables are typically included when you buy a phone), and then click the convert program in RealPlayer. Once the file is converted and transferred to the phone, just unplug the mobile device and listen to the audio file on-the-go.

Here’s a video that shows you how to connect your phone to a computer and use RealPlayer to convert video to MP3 audio files. Once that’s complete you’ll be able to then transfer those files to a cell phone.

It’s easy to get these features for free, just click on the orange RealPlayer FREE Download button in the upper right hand corner of this page and you’ll be able to make an audio version of almost any video in just a few minutes.

Have any questions about how to convert YouTube video to MP3 files? Just leave us a comment below. We’d also love to hear about the type of videos you turned into MP3 files.

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About The Author

Joni Blecher, RealPlayer Blog Editor - Joni started covering technology back when cell phones didn't have color displays and quickly made a name for herself in the mobile industry as CNET's "Cell Phone Diva." In addition to covering everything mobile, she has launched and edited multiple blog sites. When Joni started appearing in product review videos, she fell in love with the story-telling format and honed her video skills to include producing and editing videos. Joni has made appearances on CNN, BBC, CNBC's Bulls Eye, and Good Day New York to discuss the latest in technology. When she's not spending her time writing or shooting video you can find her exploring and tasting the latest food trends.
Follow her on Twitter @JoniBlecher

I’m having problems. I just updated my real Player with the free version and now I cant convert the videos. The converter does not pop up when I’m playing a video in realplayer or youtube. I have looked on the realplayer site to get instructions but non of the instructions tell me where the realplayer converter is on the new version. I tried using the realplayer downloader to convert to itunes and it takes way to long, like 10 mins. Please assist. Clearly I’m doing something wrong. Also I dont know how to add videos to my realplayer play list.

when i tried using real player converter, it keep asking me to upgrade it to a plus version which cost money and i don’t want to, i click x on it, but it keep popping up when ever i click Start , to convert the files, what is wrong with it ? i uninstall and installed it a few time, and it still happen.

Please be informed that, mp4, AAC, MPEG4, H.264, .mov, these formats require either RealPlayer Plus or QuickTime installed on your computer. Please try to install. Email us at help@real.cm with further details so we can quickly assist you.

it was only a simple mp3 file, but the real converter won’t convert, it used to work, but a while back i had to reset my computer and redownload real player. after the re download both real download n real converter won’t work any more -.- hm i wonder what is up with that . the real dowloader won’t work , and the real converter kept asking me to upgrade to the plus every time i try to convert or click start

Hi Alex, MP4 file format requires H.264 codec for RealPlayer to either convert/play without prompting you with the pop-up for the Plus upgrade. Hence, installing QuickTime/iTunes will enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert mp4 files. Follow this link: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ for QuickTime and/or http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ for iTunes to enable the required codec. Upon installing either QuickTime/iTunes in your computer, try playing/converting the mp4 files through RealPlayer and let us know the status. -Jessy

All it ever does when I try to convert Mp4 to Mp3 is ask me to upgrade realplayer.. I don’t want realplayer plus.. it costs too much and I DON”T need it, at all. I just want to convert mp4 to mp3, I don’t care how long it takes >.

This company is a big ripoff!! I signed up for the advanced program and gave them my credit card number to pay my bill (a big mistake) They billed me twice and from France. So I had to pay overseas charges on my credit card. They do not tell you they are a French Company and in fact try to find an address or a way to get in touch with them. No can do.. I can no longer use my Real player converter as every time I try to use it, I get a pop up add trying to get me to upgrade (I already have done this once!!). The pop up will not give me access to my converter program. And of course I cannot reach anyone in the company to take care of the program. Buyer beware!!

Sorry for the inconvenience, I see that you are having multiple issues, to help you better, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, and copy and paste the link to this thread within the email.

HI I have always use realplayer to download videos from you tube and then convert to MP3 now the videos are actually downloading as MP4 and when you try and convert them to MP3 realplayer asks you to upgrade and again as the other person I dont really want to. Some videos still download as flv but some come as MP4. You can get a free converter but then they wont play in wmplayer I have quicktime on my computer but it does not give you the codec you need for Windows media Player. Or realplayer. Confused!! I also have ITunes.

Sorry for the inconvenience, we are aware of a compatibility issue that is preventing .mp4 files from playing/converting in RealPlayer. This is due to changes made at YouTube and we are working with YouTube to resolve the issue.

My RealPlayer was working fine until someting must have changed in the past few months. I tried to play some of my previously downloaded (flv) files but, some of them appear to have a mysterious X mark on the files. Thus, an error message appears stating ” the following file could not be located on your computer”. I am confused because the files appear also in itunes but, they can not be played. Some of the same files now marked with an X were tranfered to my ipod and are stilll working.

hi
I tried a lot to convert any video format in library, but every time when I click convert button on side bar or after right click it did nothing. nothing at all happened ever. I do not know I already uninstall and reinstall real player.
please help me.

hi
to days ago i download videos from you tube normally but something wrong happened the videos before download as flv type but now the videos download as mp4 and can not play it with such type of mode

This is due to changes made at YouTube and we are working with YouTube to resolve the issue. However, try few work around steps for Internet Explorer to fix the issue:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on Tools.
3. Go to Manage Add-ons.
4. Disable Shockwave Flash Object.
5. Close & reopen Internet Explorer.
6. Go to http://www.youtube.com/ and play the video you want to download.
7. It will prompt to ‘Upgrade Adobe Flash Player’ (Ignore this message).
8. Attempt to download. Now files should get downloaded and are playable.

every time I try to convert, it keeps coming up with the upgrade to premium add. I cant do anything now? are you guys just being really cheap asses by making us pay or is there a way that I am not aware of?

I can help you with your inquiry, but I need more information regarding your issue. Could you please be more specific about the problem you are having? Please describe exactly what it is that you are trying to do and include any error messages that you may be experiencing. The more specific you are, the better I will be able to assist you.

I have been having some troubles with RealPlayer that I simply cannot find a solution to. I recently updated RealPlayer. Now, after downloading videos from YoutTube, it does not allow me to convert it. I wish to convert it to mp3, but every time I try, it says it failed to convert. It would mean so much to me if you could help me resolve this problem.

1. What is the format of the video that you are trying to convert?
2. Does it happen to all the videos?
3. Try to play the video before trying to convert and check whether its playing or not?
4. Error message?

I have been trying to convert youtube videos to mp3, but I always get the message, “failed to convert”. Is there a fix for this problem?
The video format that I’m trying to convert is.flv to mp3.
It happens to all the videos.
I play all the videos before attempting to convert.
The exact error message states, “failed to convert”.

I, too am adding to the long thread of “can’t play/convert mp4’s”. I’m aware that changes at Youtube and it’s streaming is part of (or is) the problem. I have downloaded a large youtube file (200+ mb’s) and tried playing it in RealPlayer. It seems to load as the time scroll shows the length of the video and the time cursor moves across the screen. However, there is no video and no audio, just a blank screen. The same happens when trying to play in Quicktime Player. Windows Media Player will not load it even though I have all the necessary MP4 Codecs. Converting to another format with RealPlayer doesn’t work, an error message pops up (“failed to convert”) and it quits. I have tried converting the mp4 using a third party convertor which results in video but no audio.

One curious thing: I have other mp4’s in my “RealPlayer Downloads” folder and they play fine, at least the ones I’m sure I downloaded before the problems started…

Sorry, we don’t have any ETA when this issue will be resolved, however our support team is working on high priority to resolve it at the earliest. Once it is resolved you will be notified by our support team.

Hi
I tried the downloader with your tester video on facebook (“Dave shows how to burn a sweet workout mix”) and it has also downloaded as an mp4 but it does convert and does play back. All the videos downloaded before these problems started have been saved as “Flash Video” rather than “MP4″ and they are all fine. But youtube downloads are mostly coming out as this non-working “MP4″, with ~2% still downloading as “Flash Video” but I don’t know why it singled them out to D/L properly…
I tried the quicktime thing (same errors), and turning off shockwave (clicked “download” but either downloader wouldn’t open, or would open and say “failed to download”)
Let me know when we can download again!!
Thanks
Sarah

This is due to changes made at YouTube and we are working with them to resolve the issue. In the meantime, you can try the temporary solution provided in this link (if you are using Internet Explorer): https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23698236

Every single time I try converting the video, the add for purchasing RealPlayer pops up and won’t let me convert. I can only convert videos i’ve already downloaded, not videos I have just downloaded. Why is this ??????

Every time I try to convert my videos to mp3 format I get an error message and it won’t allow me to convert it. Before I downloaded QuickTime I kept getting messages to upgrade. AFTER I downloaded QuickTime I started getting error messages after trying to convert. What’s the deal?

I just download regular YouTube Videos my assumption is that they are all the same file type.
But does it matter if I download official music videos or videos uploaded by users ? This is in response too my previous question about RealConverter not converting…

This is due to changes made at YouTube and we are aware of a compatibility issue that is preventing some .mp4 files from playing in RealPlayer. Essentially, the files that are being downloaded are not actually MP4s but a new streaming format that is being misidentified as MP4 and we are working with YouTube to resolve the issue.

Hi. Whenever I download a video off of youtube and try to convert it to mp3 format to go to my itunes it always says fail to convert. I’ve noticed this has been happening to other people and was just curious if it will be fixed anytime soon or if I’m doing something wrong?

YouTube and other sites have introduced a new streaming standard and we are working on an update to RealPlayer that will allow for this new format. In the meantime, you can try the temporary solution provided in this link (if you are using Internet Explorer): https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23698236

>What is the format of the downloaded video?
>Are you able to play the videos in RealPlayer?
>Do you get any error message when you play the downloaded video?
>What exactly happens when you try to convert the files?

Dear sirs madam , I am constantly having problems, after downloading a video from u tube through real player,. At the end of the downloading on the right hand of the screen there is a highlighted section asking to convert to mp3, by clicking it , it scans and scans it, the end result is FAILED TO CONVERT. I have never had this problem before, it just keeps doing it to every download I am downloading.at the present I am using a REAL PLAYER PLUS 16.02 which I upgraded on the 16-06 2013. It is a paid up software .
Could you pleas come up with a suggestion.
My best regards Bassile Anastasopoulos.

*What is the format of the downloaded video?
*What is the format that you are trying to convert?
*Do you get any error message while playing/converting the video in RealPlayer?
*Does it happen to all the videos?
*Website from where the video was downloaded?

somebody help me!! i have been downloading videos from youtube with the current version of real player. the downloads were always flash videos. now they are mpeg-4 videos. real player said can’t play that file format. real converter always gives me error can’t convert. i tweaked the mouse and tried to download converters and i got malware/spyware/troans, etc. it even crashed my ie8! all i want to do is watch the downloaded videos in real player or windows media player!! your programs are not user friendly!!! there are no exact instructions on how to use the converter or what not to do or why files can’t be converted.

i’ve tried everything to get the youtube videos converted to the real format or the windows media format. i did install the quicktime player but the videos will not play on that either. sometimes i only get the video with no audio!! i want both! what are you doing this to me?

how do you find out if the youtube videos have some kind of restriction on them? i check and find nothing.

source website: youtube

does it happen to all videos? yes

do you get the error message while playing/converting the video in real player? yes

format file i’m trying to convert? .mpeg-4

format of downloaded file: mpeg-4

will you please make the converter work!!

i don’t have time to tweak the mouse and look for a videpo converter that will work!!

Sorry for the inconvenience. YouTube and other sites have introduced a new streaming standard. We are working toward compatibility with this new format and expect to release a fix in mid-August. In the meantime, you can try an interim fix provided in this link (if you are using Internet Explorer):

Just updated the free realplayer and tried to convert mp4 to mp3. But every time it just conects to the internet and brings up join for £29.099 and if I click no thanks it suggests I join some other body and pay but get real player Free. IS REAL PLAYER LOSING THE PLOT. the whole point of having a free facility is that it can be used for free. Otherwise there is no point to it.

Let me inform you, YouTube and other sites have introduced a new streaming standard. Essentially, the files that are being downloaded are not actually MP4s but a new streaming format that is being misidentified as MP4. We are working toward compatibility with this new format and expect to release a fix in mid-August.

When I try to convert videos I downloaded from youtube into just mp3 files it doesn’t work. After a few seconds a pop appears saying there was an error and all videos failed to convert. I don’t know why this occurring, when I used realplayer on my old computer in the same manner this error never occurred. But that was with an older version of real player and not windows eight. Is it because of Youtube’s new streaming format, mentioned above or something else?

Let me inform you, YouTube and other sites have introduced a new streaming standard. Essentially, the files that are being downloaded are not actually MP4s but a new streaming format that is being misidentified as MP4.

We are working toward compatibility with this new format and expect to release a fix in mid-August. In the meantime, you can try an interim fix provided in this link (if you are using Internet Explorer):

Hello, I’m trying to convert a video from my downloads into an MP3 Audio only file, but every time I click the start button the realplayer sends me a pop-up to upgrade (which I do NOT want to do). And every time I exit out, the conversion still hasn’t started! It is irritating me to no end..

Hi,
EVERY time i try and download something new, it downloads as a mp4 and my netbook wont play that, but it plays .flv just fine. any way i can download my videos as a .flv and not mp4? please respond ASAP.

Some sites have introduced a new streaming standard. Essentially, the files that are being downloaded are not actually MP4s but a new streaming format that is being misidentified as MP4. We are working on an update to RealPlayer that will allow for this new format. We expect to release a fix with the next RealPlayer 16 build in late-August.

For the last few months, every video that I download with the real downloader wont convert them to MP3 each one gives the error failed to convert…..is there a flash update im missing ro something. i paid for the pro version 15 and now that 16 is out its asking me to upgrade again…..and Unless i read it wrong when you pay for pro on the realplayer, that doesnt include pro for the recorder….

I’m sorry if our upgrade policy wasn’t clear to you. When purchasing RealPlayer Plus, you’re purchasing that version for one-time charge. The purchase entitles you to receive updates & support of that specific version for no additional fees or hidden charges. You can stay with that version as long as you like; there is no requirement to upgrade (we support up to two RealPlayer versions back). New versions are new products & like most software companies, we charge for major upgrades.

Let me inform you, YouTube and other sites have introduced a new streaming standard. Essentially, the files that are being downloaded are not actually MP4s but a new streaming format that is being misidentified as MP4. We are working on an update to RealPlayer that will allow for this new format. We expect to release a fix with the next RealPlayer 16 build in late-August.

In the meantime, you can try the interim solution provided in this link (if you are using Internet Explorer):

to add to my other commet, my friend just put a mp4 video on my laptop and it played just fine. is it realplayer thats acting up, my laptop, or just youtube (the website i download most of my videos)? please help and respond ASAP.

Hi there, i downloaded the latest update of realplayer and i managed to download and play the mp4 format videos successfully from youtube. But now i got another issue which i can’t convert the mp4/mpeg4 videos (from youtube) to mp3 audio only format and i already installed quicktime. Besides, you guys said that youtube recently using new streaming format that is being misidentified as mp4, and i found that the realplayer downloader or converter still showing any videos downloaded from youtube as mp4/mpeg4 format. Is it another bugs that still remains undiscovered ? I need your help ASAP because i don’t want to keep any mp4/mpeg4 format files which have considerably larger file size than mp3s.
Cheers!

I have the basic version but every time I try to convert music to my ipod an add comes up asking me to upgrade to the plus version for a special price. When I click no thanks my music still hasn’t converted. Why is this?

After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try play/converting the files through RealPlayer. If the issue still persists, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.

After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try play/converting the files through RealPlayer. If the issue still persists, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.

Please provide us some more information:

1. What is the file format you are trying to play/convert?
2. From which website you downloaded this file?
3. Does it happen for all the formats/files?

Please help, every time I try to convert a video into a mp3 an add pops up for real player plus and it wont let me convert the video I thought the converter came with the free version or do I have to pay for it?

yes i have used the realplayer for some time and was working fine. but now when i try to use it it will not let me convert the aduio file of the video to mp3 ,so i can hear it on my mp3 player. it worked so well before i dont know what happennd. so they told me at reaplayer to go head and up grade to the latest free version . and it should work because they fix, it but in order to get it to work you need the latest version of the free one. but after i tryed it it did not work.

Hi, I have been using realplayer for years (free version).
I have just downloaded the latest version, it lets me download video (MP4) but when i select convert to MP3 all i get is a pop up panel asking me to buy the realplayer software.
Why is this ?
Is the MP4 to MP3 converter not free any more ?

This issue has been fixed in the latest build of RealPlayer 16, released on August 21.

If you are currently using RealPlayer Plus 16 or the free version: Please open RealPlayer, click the RealPlayer logo in the upper left, and select Check for Update. You will then be able to update your RealPlayer to the newest build.

Please note that you may need to re-enable the RealDownloader extension in your web browser as well by following this link:

I have uninstalled/reinstalled Realplayer multiple times but it still won’t copy or transfer files to my Sansa mp3 player. It says it is copying/converting the files when I command it to, but when I turn on the player the files are not there to play.

When I download a youtube video it places the video in the “videos” section of the RealPlayer app, I then right click the video and click “covert to”. The conversion box opens and I select mp3 along with the location where I would like the converted mp3 to appear, which is generally the desktop so its easy to find. However, once I click the “start” button I get a mini screen that pops up giving me a red error message. This happens for every video I try to convert to mp3. Please help.

Sorry you can’t convert videos! Please provide us some more information:

1. What is the video format? (MP4 or FLV)
2. Are you able to play this video in RealPlayer?
3. Does this happen with all the videos you have in RealPlayer Library?
4. Are you using latest version of RealPlayer?

Dear Realplayer,
I have downloaded Quicktime as advised but am still unable to convert mp4 formatted items in my Realplayer library to MP3.Every time I try the convert option in Realplayer it always fails to convert.How do I sucessfully convert mp4 downloads to mp3 in my Realplayer library ? I don’t understand why Realplayer present this conversion as a system function yet it doesn’t work and further doesn’t tell you why.
Richard

I have a Samsung Galaxy Victory Smartphone (android). I had videos that I downloaded to my pc, the only option I had to download to the pc was the real player. So I downloaded the free version and transferred my videos to my pc. Now I want to send them in a email to family, but the file is to big 89MB. I made a copy of the video and tried to convert it to kindle device where my family member would view it. I get the prompt to uprade to RealPlayer Plus. I don’t want to pay money to email someone a video. Had I known I would have to pay money in the end to transfer my video to my “own” computer I never would have used Real Player. I feel like I was scammed and now my videos are being held hostage on Real Player. I can’t transfer them back to my smartphone or send anywhere except on a disk unless I pay money to get the Plus version. There should have been a screen pop up before downloading this free version to give me all the info that is required to make an educated decision to use Real Player. Is there a way to download a free version of Real Player Plus so that I can change the file size of my videos in order to email them. I don’t use Facebook or You Tube. Or is there a way to transfer them back to my phone and start this process over?

Sorry, you are unable to convert audio files. Please provide us some more information,

>What exactly happens when you try to convert audio files?
>Do you get any error messages?
>What is the format of the original file?
>Are you able to play the files in RealPlayer?
>Does this happen with all files or specific one?
>Which version of RealPlayer is installed in your computer?

To find the RealPlayer version: Open RealPlayer > Click on RealPlayer Logo (at the top left corner) > Help > About RealPlayer.

The more specific you are, the better we will be able to assist you.

If you have additional questions, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.

No matter what I do now a days when I convert real player videos to an audio format they used to go to media player library and stay there. now no matter what I do or what videos I convert they go to the media player library at first but as soon as I close the window and open it back up they are gone from media player. they don’t stay. any ideas what’s wrong?

I need help, the issue being with real player software; before updating to realplayer cloud I would convert videos into mp3 format and the files would actually contain sound; however, since updating there have been some files that convert just fine while others convert but they do not contain any audio what so ever. At first I thought that it could be te video itself not having any audio but that is not the case, the video itself contains audio, even after downloaded. Please help, this has never happen before and it would be ashame to find an alternative to realplayer, it is really convenient. One more thing, why can’t I download vidoes from Youtube, only certain videos but not all like before( I am using YTD to download and real converter to convert). Thanks in advance for any type of help.

I am having problems. I download vidoes using RealPlayer Downloader and then use the converter tool to turn them into mp3s. Occasionally some of the mp3s will just stop working. It won’t work on RealPlayer, Windows Media Play, or iTunes. I will reconvert them but sometimes I have to redownload the video. What is going on here and how can I stop it?

It seems that the download is not complete. This is the reason why it does not play in RealPlayer and unable to convert. Make sure that the video is getting downloaded successfully.

You can’t convert if the video does not play in RealPlayer. To fix this issue, please do a clean uninstall and reinstall. Performing a clean uninstall and reinstall can help you resolve many issues, try uninstalling and reinstalling RealPlayer by following this link: http://customer.real.com/entries/23994572

Note: Make sure you delete the RealPlayer folders as mention on the link before reinstalling RealPlayer.

There is an option to remove RealPlayer without loosing your videos. During uninstalling of RealPlayer, please uncheck the library and then follow the below steps:

1. Click the Start icon in the lower left corner of your screen, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Programs and Features.
2. In the “Programs and Features” dialog, click Uninstall.
3. In the “Uninstallation of RealPlayer” dialog, confirm that My Library does NOT have a check mark.
4. Click OK, then click Yes.